Little Altars Everywhere!

tiny offerings for sale

There was nothing else I could title this one, as this pretty much says it all. Last weekend during our visit to Bali, I was quite taken back at the number of small offerings that appear on just about every surface you can see. These tiny arrangements can be seen on carved statues, in special "houses" made just for such offerings, on sidewalks, counter tops - pretty much any and every flat surface available.

incense and rice - common ingredients

accompanied by drink offering

woman prays before placing offering

dominant foreground, contributing background

typical altar

placing an offering

double duty

Flowers are an important part of any offering made to the Hindu deities. These tiny "offerings" are usually made on a base of woven palm or coconut and contain various components such as cooked rice, flowers, incense, small crackers, nuts and such. It is not unusual to see a cigarette placed in one, as if someone is sacrificing their addiction to their god? At least that’s my interpretation. On a side note - it seems like pretty much every male in Indonesia smokes. Children smoke and boys and men of all ages smoke. It would appear that pretty much everyone is addicted to nicotine. I've seen only one female with a cigarette in the 7 weeks we've been here. But it's rare to see a man who isn’t smoking. I digress...

any nook or cranny, three deep

plumeria blooms abound

varying styles of handiwork

As I was saying, these little offerings are virtually everywhere and you can step on them if you're not careful. There are fresh ones and  trashed ones lying side by side on the sidewalks, streets, curbs and garbage areas. These tiny offerings (called ‘canang sari’) are offered to their gods three times a day - no wonder there are so many! I read on one website that an estimated 3-4 million offerings are rendered every day in Bali!!

cigarette offering?

I also found the following tidbit. “These tiny offerings supposedly appease the spirits and bring prosperity and good health to the one offering them. Each morning, women walk with incense and pray, leaving these small offerings at shrines or on the sidewalk in front of the shops. These gifts to the gods are refreshed or replaced throughout the day, so if you do happen to kick one over, don't worry. Balinese simply assume it was the result of a spirit passing through.” Uh huh.

sidewalk threesome

a tiny offering

restaurant is open

I realize this many photos may seem like overkill, but I'm trying to make the point that the Balinese people's lives are governed by their ritual observances, one of which is evidenced by the making and placing of these many small offerings throughout each day.

open for business

sidewalk duty

maybe more is better?

massages here